NICE turns down 'expensive' prostate cancer drug

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published draft guidance which does not recommend a new prostate cancer drug for routine use on the NHS in England and Wales.

Abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) in combination with prednisone or prednisolone is not recommended for the treatment of prostate cancer that has spread following treatment with docetaxel and is not suitable for surgery.

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NICE said the drug offered benefits, such as potentially extending life by more than three months and its ability to be taken orally at home.

However, chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon revealed: 'It is an expensive drug and the independent advisory committee that made this decision did not feel the drug provided enough benefit to patients to justify the price the NHS is being asked to pay, even with the discount that the manufacturer has offered.'

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The draft guidance has now been issued for consultation and NICE expects to issue its next draft guidance following consideration of any responses or offer of any additional discount by the manufacturer.

Cancer Research UK expressed disbelief at the decision, arguing that it 'makes no sense'.

The charity's chief clinician, Professor Peter Johnson, said: 'Since it became available in the UK, abiraterone has been one of the most requested treatments from the Cancer Drugs Fund.

'This is because patients and doctors value the extra months of life it can give if prostate cancer has come back after chemotherapy.'

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